Apparatus for making terminal strips



Jan. 26, 1954 J. J. KURLAND ET AL 2,667,203

APPARATUS FOR MAKING TERMINAL STRIPS I Filed Aug. 17, 1951 INVENTORS,

Patented Jan. 26, 1954 APPARATUS FOR MAKING TERMINAL STRIPS Jerome J. Kurland, Chicago, and Joseph J. Kurland, Glencoe, Ill.

Application August 17, 1951, Serial No. 242,232

9 Claims. (01. 153-49) This invention relates to terminal strips for electrolytic condensers and the like, and the principal object of the invention is to simplify the manufacturing practices with respect to shaping the end of the terminal strip for insertion in the eyelet or similar metal part carried by the condenser cap for connecting the condenser to external electrical circuits.

The present invention is an improvement on the method and apparatus disclosed in applicants copending application, Serial No. 162,372, filed May 16, 1950, and the disclosure of that application is incorporated by reference to the extent that it is not inconsistent with the present disclosure.

For reasons explained in applicants copending application, Serial No. 162,371, filed May 16, 1950, and now abandoned, it is highly desirable to use a fiat terminal strip that has one end dieformed into cylindrical shape for eifecting a connection between the condenser foil and the eyelet or other electrical part carried by the condenser cap to sheet external electrical connections. One form of such condenser cap construction is shown in our copending application, Serial No. 162,371, and a method for forming the terminal strip of use in connection therewith is shown in our copending application, Serial No. 162,372. The present invention represents an improvement in the method and apparatus for making the terminal strip for use with electrolytic condensers or like devices of this general type.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to effect the cylindrical formation of the end of the terminal strip with a single forming operation and insure release of the formed terminal strip from the forming dies.

Further and other objects will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds and the description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic side-elevational view, showing a preferred form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but shows the position of the press parts when the dies are closed;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1, showing particularly the arrangement for utilizing compressed air to keep the die faces clean and aid in releasing the terminal strips from the dies after the ends have been formed;

Fig. 4 shows a terminal strip having its end compressed to substantially rod form; and

Fig. 5 shows a terminal strip which has an open core for the reception of a wire.

It should be understood that the description of the preferred form of the invention is for the purpose of complying with Section 4888 of the Revised Statutes, and that the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.

Referring first to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the press of this invention comprises generally a base H), a ram 1 I, having a head l2 which carries an upper die 13 adapted to cooperate with a lower clie I l that is fixed relative to the base It.

The dies 13 and I 4 each have semi-cylindrical die faces l5 which are carefully grounded to precision shape, and which when the dies are closed, form between the dies a cylindrical space into which the end of the terminal strip I6 is to be compressed.

The terminal strip is ordinarily a strip of aluminum having a gauge thickness of approximately .020 inch, and being properly cleaned and treated for forming thereon an anodic film in a manner well-known in the art.

One advantage of the present invention is that when the end i! of the terminal strip is dieformed into cylindrical shape, either in solid form as shown in Fig. 4, or tubular form as shown in Fig. 5, the cold working of the material is relatively slight and insufficient to afiect adversely the anodic film on the strip.

The dies l3 and M are made of hardened steel and are held in place by screws I8 and I9 respectively.

The lower die [4 is supported on the base!!! by a pair of opposed angle blocks 20 and 2|, each of which is secured to the base [G by one or more machine bolts 22. Mounted between the opposed vertical faces of the angle blocks 28 and 2! are guide blocks 23 and 24, the former being rigid with the base It! and the latter being movable relative thereto about a pin or bolt 25. The angle blocks 20 and 2| are connected together by bars 26 and 2'! which are secured together by bolts 28, 29, and 30. The guide plate 24 isres liently urged by a spring 3| to open position, i. e., the position shown in Fig. l, and a set screw 32 limits the open position of the guide plate.

The upper end of the fixed gu de plate 23 rides within a pocket 33 in the head l2, and is in firm sliding engagement with the adiacent side of the upper die l3. The lower die M is securely held against the fixed guide plate 23 by the holding screw or screws [9.

The upper end of the movable guide plate 24 is relieved as indicated at 34 to cooperate with a cam block 35 adjustably positioned on the head l2. The cam block 35 has a rounded corner 36 which is adapted to ride over the relieved portion of the guide plate 25 when the head :2 is descending to thereby force the guide plate 24 into firm sliding engagement with the adjacent sides of the dies l3 and is. Hence, during the actual. forming of the rounded end I! of the terminal strip, the guide plates 23 and 24 are firmly riding against the dies i3, it to insure a perfect shaping of the terminal strip end, but when the head I2. ascends, the movable guide plate 2t opens due to the action of spring 3! and thereby facilitates the stripping or release of the strip Hi from the press by permitting the strip to be moved both upwardly and laterally with respect to the lower die 14.

The precise location of the cam block 35 is obtained by proper manipulation of adjusting screws 3? and 38, and preferably a set screw 39 is associated with the locating screw 38 to insure proper maintenance of the adjustment once it has been made.

One feature of the present invention consists in the use of compressed air to maintain the dies free of foreign material; to act as a lubricant during the forming operation; and to aid in the release of the formed piece after the press action has taken place. Also, it is convenient to use the compressed air nozzle as a stop for properly locating the terminal strip within the die cavity preliminary to the press action.

In Fig. 3, there is shown one way in which compressed air is used for the above-mentioned purposes, but it will be understood that the valve action particularly may be embodied in various other forms. The compressed air nozzle Mi has its end 41 substantially in ali nment with the rear edge of the dies I3 and I4 so that the terminal strip it may be conveniently inserted within the open die cavity until it strikes the end ll of the compressed air nozzle 49. Thereupon the press is actuated to lower the ram I l to thereby form the rounded end As the ram ll descends, an arm 32 on the head l2 depresses a plunger 43, on the lower end of which is mounted a valve head 45, and the lowering of the plunger it places the nozzle 40 in open communication with a compressed air line 35 through a chamber 46 and channel 51. Hence, during the forming operation and immediately thereafter, compressed air blows through the die cavity to form a cushion of air during the forming operation and to blow thecavity clean of foreign material that might cause imperfections in the formed head or end. H of the terminal strip.

The plunger 43 is resiliently urged to valve closing. position by a spring Q8 which brings the head 44 against the seat 49 provided in the valve block 50. 7

When the end of the terminal strip is tobe formed into solid, rod-like shape, as shown: in Fig. 4, the semi-cylindrical die cavities of the upper and lowerdies i3 and [4 have a combined area. substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the terminal strip itself. When, however, the. end of the strip is to have an open core for the reception of a wire, the semi-cylindrical die cavities are made sufficiently larger so that the tubular shape is attained.

From the above, it will be understood that the cylindrical form of the terminal strip end is achieved by a single stroke of the press, and it does not matter whether the upper die in descendl'! for the terminal strip. 1

ing bends the end in one direction or the other because, in either case, the size and shape of the die cavity will necessarily form the cylindrical end to the terminal strip. Obviously, the apparatus makes for speedy production of the cylindrical ends for the terminal strips and effects great savings in manufacturing costs.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for forming a cylindrical head on a flat terminal strip, comprising semi-cylindrically recessed mating dies, a movable ram carrying one of said dies toward and away from the other die, guide plates flanking the dies with at least one of said plates being movable toward and away from the dies, and means for moving said one guide plate into firm engagement with said dies whenever the mating dies are closed.

2. Apparatus for forming a cylindrical head on a fiat terminal strip, comprising semi-cylindrically recessed mating dies, a movable ram carryin one of said dies toward and away from the other die, guide plates flanking the dies with at least one of said plates being movable toward and away from the dies, and means for moving said one guide plate into firm engagement with said dies whenever the mating dies are closed, said movable guide plate being resiliently biased to open position.

3. Apparatus for forming a cylindrical head on a fiat terminal strip, comprising semi-cylindrically recessed mating dies, a movable ram carrying one of said dies toward and away from the other die, guide plates flanking the dies with at least one of said plates being movable toward and away from the dies, means for moving said one guide plate into firm engagement with said dies whenever the mating dies are closed, said movable guide plate being resiliently biased to open position, and means for limitin outward movement of said movable guide plate.

4. Apparatus for forming a cylindrical head on a fiat terminal strip, comprising semi-cylindrioally recessed mating dies, a movable ram carrying one of said dies toward and away from the other die, guide plates flanking the dies with at least one of said plates being movable toward and away from the dies, and means for moving said one guide plate into firm engagement with said dies whenever the mating dies are closed, said last-named mean including a camming device movable with the ram. 7

5. Apparatus for forming a cylindrical head on a fiat terminal strip, comprising semi-cylindrically recessed mating dies, a movable ram carrying one of said dies toward and away from the other die, guide plates flanking the dies with at least one of said plates being movable toward and.

away from the dies, means for moving said one guide plate into firm engagement with said dies whenever the mating dies are closed, said lastnamed means including a camming device movable with the ram, and means for adjusting the position of the camming device relative to the ram.

6. Apparatus for forming a cylindrical head on a flat terminal strip; comprising semi-cylindri cally recessed mating dies, a movable ram carrying one of said dies toward and away from the other die, guide plates flanking the dies with at least. one of said plates being movable toward and away from the dies, and means for moving said one guide plate into firm engagement with said dies whenever the mating dies arev closed, said movable guide plate being hinged adjacent its lower margin. 7 Y

7. Apparatus for forming a cylindrical head on a flat terminal strip, comprising semi-cylindrically recessed mating dies, a movable ram carrying one of said dies toward and away from the other die, guide plates flanking the dies with at least one of said plates being movable toward and away from the dies, means for moving said one guide plate into firm engagement with said dies whenever the mating dies are closed, and a compressed air nozzle positioned substantially coaxially of the mating dies when closed, and serving as a stop to locate the end of the terminal strip when inserted between the dies.

8. Apparatus for forming a cylindrical head on a flat terminal strip, comprising semi-cylindrically recessed mating dies, a movable ram carrying one of said dies toward and away from the other die, guide plates flanking the dies with at least one of said plates being movable toward and away from the dies, means for moving said one guide plate into firm engagement with said dies whenever the mating dies are closed, and a compressed air nczzle positioned substantially coaxially of the mating dies when closed, and means for delivering a blast of compressed air longitudi- I nally through the die recesses Whenever the dies are moved to closed position.

9. Apparatus for forming a cylindrical head on a fiat terminal strip, comprising semi-cylin- 6 l drically recessed mating dies, a movable ram carrying one of said dies toward and away from the other die, guide plates flanking the dies with at least one of said plates being movable toward and away from the dies, means for moving said one guide plate into firm engagement with said References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Juergens July 17, 1894 Brinkman Oct. 28, 1919 Klocke Jan. 7, 1919 Lutzenkirchen Dec. 10, 1929 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany Feb. 3, 1888 Number Number 

